MLB Bullets Is For The Birds

I'm not going to handle the non-announcement announcement on blackouts, as I think we've already covered the issue here at BCB.

• As much as we'd like the story of this weekend's sweep of the Orioles to be that the Cubs are now 45-45 over the past 90 games, the real story is that the first-place O's got swept by the last-place Cubs. And a big reason for the loss is the absence of Manny Machado, who decided to have season-ending surgery on his right knee. The Orioles wanted him to wait a while and see if he could return this season. But by having the surgery now, he should be ready for the start of spring training.
• Cliff Corcoran says the Orioles are going to feel some pain without Machado, but it won't cripple their post-season chances. It will make winning in the playoffs a lot tougher.
• Christina Kahrl says the Orioles don't have any good options for replacing Machado and wonders whether they'll try to make a waiver trade for a third baseman.
• Grant Brisbee says the Orioles are succeeding without three of the main players we thought would be the keys to their season. He says it's proof you can't predict baseball, in part because lineups change so quickly.
• Jeff Sullivan examines why the Orioles have exceeded expectations so far.
• Going from the top of the AL East to the bottom, the Red Sox officially signed Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo to a seven-year, $72.5 million contract.
• Richard Justice thinks Castillo will be a big part of a much-improved Red Sox lineup next season.
• Gordon Edes thinks Castillo allow the Red Sox to part with enough young talent to land Giancarlo Stanton this off-season. And if they can't swing a deal for Stanton, he suggests the Red Sox could put together a package for Cole Hamels or Chris Sale.
• Castillo, for his part, is just happy to be here. So he's been trained in the clichés already.
• Castillo's $72.5 million contract just proves how screwed most amateur players are.
• Ken Rosenthal says that the Red Sox are proving that if you're going to lose, lose big.
• Speaking of which, just three seasons after being one out away from a World Series title, the Rangers the favorites in the race for the first pick in the draft.
• Anthony Castrovince thinks the Braves still have a chance to win the NL East.
• Richard Justice believes the Athletics have been so successful for so long, in part, because Billy Beane creates a happy and positive atmosphere for the players. Well, that's a new take on Moneyball.
• Tracy Ringolsby calls Coco Crisp a critical factor in the success of the Athletics.
• The A's acquired Geovany Soto from the Rangers for cash. So now Oakland has four catchers.
• The A's also claimed Rays shortstop Yunel Escobar on waivers. Escobar's agent thinks that Oakland would not be a good fit for his client.
• The Athletics are looking at the options for building a new stadium on the current site of the Coliseum.
• Maybe the Angels will join them as a broken pipe caused extensive damage to Angel Stadium.
• League Park, the original home of the Indians from 1901 to 1946, has been restored to serve as a neighborhood diamond.
• As you no doubt know, South Korea beat Jackie Robinson West in the Little League World Series. They didn't need to score the most runs in the final game to end up as winners, however.
• Here's a story about how one man used Little League Baseball to bring hope to kids in inner-city Philadelphia.
• Jeff Passan points out one reason why I've been a little hesitant to cheer on Little League Baseball. The organization and ESPN are making millions of dollars on this tournament and all the kids get is "the experience." Little League CEO Steve Keener (and it's telling that Little League has a job title of CEO) says at some point in the future, when it was "appropriate," they might consider giving some benefits to the players. How generous.
• And in more money matters, the Toronto Blue Jays are trying to block Creighton University from trademarking their new "Blue Jay" logo.
• The Rays are protesting their loss on Saturday to Toronto, arguing that the umpires allowed the Blue Jays to challenge a call after the next play had started.
• And the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate will leave Albuquerque at the end of the season and move to Oklahoma City. They finally got tired of playing half their games in what I call "Coors Field on steroids."
• Something else I try to avoid talking about is Pete Rose, but I guess I can't on the 25th anniversary of his lifetime ban. Jerry Crasnick has an excellent long form article on what happened back then and what has happened since. If you're too young to remember what happened and how, here's a great place to start.
• When asked about reinstating Rose, commissioner Bud Selig said "I have five months to think about it."
• Kostya Kennedy looks a few of the issues facing Rob Manfred when he decides whether or not to reinstate Rose (assuming Selig doesn't, of course).
• Doug Fister revealed that he had surgery to remove skin cancer from his neck. Since players spend a lot of time in the sun, skin cancer is going to be an issue in the game going forwards.
• Peter Gammons looks at the adjustments that have kept the Mariners in the playoff hunt.
• Tim Lincecum may head to the bullpen.
• Peter Keating says that Albert Pujols' decline has been unprecedented.
• Some stats on one day of defensive shifts.
• Jayson Stark has some interesting statistics on umpires.
• Jeff Sullivan looks at what the stats say about which teams have been helped and hurt the most by catchers framing pitches. If you want to make a case for Jonathan Lucroy for MVP, here's where to start. If these stats are to be believed, he's almost certainly the most valuable player in the National League this season.
• This has been mentioned in the comments, but in case you missed it: The Cubs turned down an offer of B.J. Upton for Edwin Jackson.
• Jon Paul Morosi has a fascinating look at how the Diamondbacks found David Peralta in the independent leagues. Short answer: hard-working scouts.
• Thanks to a baserunning blunder by Yasiel Puig, the Mets turned a 5-4-3-2 triple play yesterday.
• Scott Spratt doesn't call it that, but he runs the numbers on who is the leader for the TOOTBLAN title this year. Yep, it's Puig. And this article was written before the triple play.
• And finally. Puig? Meet Pug. Pug? Meet Puig. Puig. Pug. Pug. Puig. Puig. Pug. Pug. Puig.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.